BBC holds fire on Rome 2

US network HBO is ploughing ahead with a second series of its historical epic Rome without the support of co-production partner the BBC.

It said it would start shooting the next series of the $100m (£54.6m) epic series even though the corporation, which committed around $15m to the original co-production, said it would hold fire on a decision about a follow-up until the first season airs.

HBO said the programme would go into production in March at Rome's Cinecitta Studios, where the first series was shot, with the original cast - barring Ciaran Hinds, who plays Julius Caesar in the first series and of course dies.

The second series of the swords-and-sandals epic is expected to cost substantially less than the original as it will reuse the existing set, which is still standing at Cinecitta.

But despite describing the series as "incredibly good money for the licence fee payer," the BBC controller of drama commissioning, Jane Tranter, declined to back the second series, saying it was "too early" to make the decision.

"We are delighted by the success of Rome for HBO and obviously we hope that British audiences will enjoy it with the same enthusiasm.

"As we aren't transmitting our UK version until later in the autumn, it's still too early for us to announce a second series at this stage, but we are encouraged by the response of the audience and media in the US."

After mainly positive reviews, Rome premiered on HBO three weeks ago with an audience of 3.9 million, the cable channel's highest viewing figures for a new-season debut since the start if the fourth series of Six Feet Under last year.

The first episode went on to attract a total of 8.9 million viewers in its first week, after HBO took the unprecedented move of making it available on a 24-hour basis across its main and on-demand channels.

Though the BBC declined to comment further it did confirm it would have a first-look option to air the follow-up should it eventually decide against co-funding.

The UK series, where the first three episodes will be edited into two one-hour programmes, is expected to air at the end of October on BBC2.